Ick.
You know, as far as the boxwood stuff goes . . . it might be helpful for you to try to use something like NasalCrom, which is available at places like Walgreen’s over-the-counter. It has almost zero side effects (it does smell funny), but it can help stabilize the immune cells in your nose not to react with congestion to a little boxwood dust.
Stuart
Ah, if only you’d suggested that before 2 days ago…
I spent the entire day yesterday sorting though boxes and crates of, well, boxwood, for the purpose of sizing and culling our stock, and I’m still suffering a bit today. Actually though, since next week I’ll be band sawing, gun drilling, and turning quite a bit, I may think about taking your suggestion, since wearing the mask doesn’t prevent me from getting covered in dust, and the mask has to come off for meals, repairs, etc.
Thanks for the idea.
Loren
I have a couple of the helmet type masks which blow filtered air over the face from a belt mounted pack .Without them the dust from working pernambuco wood in making violin bows would soon finish me off ( much to the delight , no doubt, of Mr L Migoya ! ).They are a bore to use, though.
IgE strikes again ! It was the IgD got me !
3 years ago I purchased a Cocuswood Prattens Perfected (made in ~1860) from a guy who was unable to play it due to an allergic reaction which affected his mouth and lips almost as soon as he touched it.
I played that flute daily for two years without any problems, including long sessions and occasional performances - and though I am now more often playing a 6 key McGee Rudall and Rose model, it is not as a result of any difficulty with the Prattens.
It seems that whatever causes the allergy stays around in the timber for a very long time. I understood that Cocus was a relative of poison ivy, and that the poison and the human reaction is similar. I have no scientific knowledge on that, its just something I heard somewhere.
Some of us are very lucky to be free of such problems.
Tim